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News Archive

March 5, 2018When talking with Kenny Langley about his passions, a drive for the good of all soon becomes clear over advancing one individual or group, or winning a competition. That mantra guides his work as a project manager at the RCU and in the community...Read More

February 15, 2018 The Mississippi Department of Education's Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) pilot program is expected to benefit from a recent C Spire commitment to improving computer science teachers' skills and professional development... Read More

November 30, 2017 Governor Phil Bryant signed a proclamation this month declaring December as Computer Science Education Month in Mississippi and noted the ongoing partnership between the Mississippi Department of Education and... Read More

November 29, 2017 The Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State University will facilitate Hour of Code events for three Mississippi school districts this December. As part of the RCU’s efforts to assist the Mississippi Department of Education expand computer science to every school in the state, the events planned for... Read More

November 6, 2017 The RCU facilitated a kickoff meeting Friday [Nov. 3] in Canton for the Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) initiative, which aims to bolster students’ and teachers’ knowledge and capabilities of computing... Read More

November 1, 2017 Ashley Brown landed in education from a love of reading and learning. While teaching high school English, she enjoyed sharing literature and breaking down problems to facilitate students understanding. Read More

September 1, 2017 “History lets us look at one event to see how it will impact the future—that’s why I enjoyed sharing history with students,” said Cindy Ming, project manager for the RCU’s innovative-schools team....Read More

September 6, 2017 Two Mississippi State University (MSU) units are leading the charge in bringing computer science to Mississippi’s K-12 classrooms—partially through the funding of a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. The over $700,000 grant was awarded to the Research and Curriculum (RCU) to advance training and curriculum...Read More

August 24, 2017 The Research and Curriculum Unit at Mississippi State is beginning the next phase of ongoing career and technical education assessments for the state’s public schools. A 10-year, $13.6 million Mississippi Department of Education contract with the specialized university group went into effect July 1...Read More

July 13, 2017 More than 50 public career and technical education teachers from around the state are at Mississippi State for a New Teacher Induction training program. The two-week program is part of an alternate-route teacher-certification pathway...Read More

June 30, 2017 Melissa Luckett didn’t set out to work in education when she completed a master’s in public policy and administration, but over the years, she’s always been drawn to the field....Read More

March 30, 2017 Lois Kappler never wanted to be a teacher. In fact, as a young girl growing up in Edwardsville, Illinois, she was never particularly challenged in school and found it just an expected routine....Read More

March 8, 2017 The Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University has launched Mississippi ED Talk, an audio podcast highlighting the bright spots in Mississippi’s K-12 public education landscape. The first three episodes were released on March 8....Read More

December 16, 2016 Ask Betsey Smith, the RCU’s associate director, what she wishes her fellow Mississippians knew about career and technical education (CTE), and she doesn’t hesitate to answer: “CTE is for every child,” she explained. “Because CTE connects to real life, there is truly something for everyone...Read More

September 27, 2016 A staff member from Mississippi State University’s Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) was selected to attend an invitation-only White House summit on computer science held on September 14, 2016....Read More

August 17, 2016 Mississippi’s new magazine on K-12 education, School Focus, premiered in early August. Produced by the RCU in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Education, School Focus highlights the accomplishments of Mississippi teachers and students...Read More

August 3, 2016 The Computer Science for Mississippi program is set to help the state’s students prepare for careers in a high-tech, high-demand field. Also known as CS4MS, the program has completed its summer training for teachers...Read More

June 24, 2016 A cohort of 94 new career and technical education (CTE) teachers have been honing their skills at Mississippi State University as part of their training and licensure to be teachers in Mississippi...Read More

June 23, 2016 The Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) pilot program is kicking off its first round of teacher training this summer at sites across Mississippi. Sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE), in partnership with the RCU...Read More

June 23, 2016 Spend much time talking to Gayle Fortenberry, and her dual passions quickly rise to the surface: agriculture and her students. For Fortenberry, nothing matches the satisfaction of watching her former students thrive in college and careers—especially when those careers lead them back to the farm...Read More

May 10, 2016 A recent study from the Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU) at Mississippi State University found that participation in career and technical education (CTE) courses is positively correlated with higher graduation rates among Mississippi high school students...Read More

April 19, 2016 The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has announced the launch of the Computer Science for Mississippi (CS4MS) program, developed in partnership with the RCU. Thirty-four school districts from across Mississippi...Read More

April 4, 2016 If you’re looking for Amanda Tullos, you’re most likely to find her where she’s happiest—in the middle of a crowd. Tullos, who works as a project manager for the RCU’s school innovations team, has a hectic work schedule that takes her all over the state to lead professional development sessions...Read More

January 4, 2016 As the mom of four children going to school in Lafayette County, Mississippi, Shelly Hollis noticed that, with some updates, the local school district’s website could be improved to keep parents better informed. Hollis called to volunteer her expertise in computer science to keep the website updated, but she received a big surprise...Read More

January 4, 2016 The Research and Curriculum Unit (RCU), located at Mississippi State University (MSU), is celebrating its 50th anniversary. With a focus on preparing all students to graduate ready for college, career, and life, the RCU has a proud history...Read More

October 5, 2015 When numbers need to be crunched or a program is in need of evaluation, Roslyn Miller is the RCU’s go-to expert. With her research and data skills, Miller plays a key role in the RCU’s communication, research, and evaluation team...Read More

June 1, 2015 On equality in education, a matter close to her heart, Theresa Wheeler says, “Education is not and never will be the great equalizer, but it’s a tool nevertheless.” Wheeler says that her tool is research, and she feels a sense of duty to use it to affect education....Read More

February 1, 2015 When Alexis Nordin joined the RCU as a research associate in 2012, her past experience in human resources and teaching international students was an indication of the unique voice she would bring to the RCU. Nordin maintains a strong connection to the past, having an uncanny ability to notice what works...Read More